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Conflict of Interest Office

The Conflicts of Interest Office (COI) at Icahn School of Medicine was established in 2009 and is located in the Office of the Dean. The COI Office helps to oversee Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s efforts to identify and manage potential conflicts of interest. Our school encourages collaborative relationships with industry that could lead to breakthroughs in research and clinical care, and it is essential that these relationships are free of real or perceived conflicts.

The COI Office educates faculty, staff and trainees about Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s COI policies, both institutional and research-specific, and provides guidance in the disclosure of financial interests. We also are responsible for institutional compliance with regulatory requirements relating to conflicts of interest. All of these components are essential to creating an environment of transparency for our relationships with industry.

Other Resources and Forms

Mount Sinai Innovation Partners The purpose of the Office of Technology and Business Development is to build, cultivate, and manage relationships with commercial entities to translate ISMMS discoveries and technologies into marketed products. MSIP also reviews faculty consulting agreements to ensure alignment with ISMMS policies.

Grants and Contracts Office (GCO)The Grants and Contracts Office oversees the sponsored programs application and award process and provides support to faculty regarding research activities and performance.

Department of Public Affairs, Marketing and CommunicationsThe Department of Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications serves as liaison to the Office of the Dean and senior administration in evaluating the benefits and risks of media contacts and assuring that all media interaction is conducted in a professional manner consistent with Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai's mission and institutional goals.

Development Office The Development Office solicits and accepts charitable donations in furtherance of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai's mission and ensures compliance with federal and state laws regarding charitable donations.

Prohibited Activities

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai personnel have an obligation to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct free from any improper external influence or appearance of impropriety. Following are some activities prohibited by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Acceptance of Gifts: Solicitation or acceptance of gifts, gratuities, payments or consideration of any kind or other favors from any person or organization that does or is seeking to do business with, or establish a relationship with, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is prohibited. Unsolicited gifts must be returned by contacting the Compliance Department at 212-241-3211.

Other than de minimis non-cash gifts from patients, the solicitation or acceptance by full-time and part-time faculty and other employees of gifts from patients, former patients, their friends and relatives and Members of the Boards of Trustees is prohibited. Donors should be directed to the Development Office so that such gifts are properly recorded and acknowledged.

Endorsements: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai faculty and staff are prohibited from performing product or company endorsements or otherwise engaging in promotional activities for industry.

Ghostwritten Materials:

PUBLICATIONS: Authorship on articles and scientific presentations must be in accordance with Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai's Responsibilities of Authors and AMA guidelines on authorship. An author's role in content and contributions must be verifiable. Having one's own name appear as author of a document conceived, researched and written by others is unacceptable, e.g., an article prepared by industry for publication under a faculty member's name is not permitted.

PRESENTATIONS: Speakers are required to use their own materials without control of content by the sponsor. Talks in which sponsors exert significant control over the content are prohibited. The use of ghostwritten materials, e.g., slide-kits, is also prohibited.

PHARMACEUTICAL SAMPLES: Physicians and staff may not accept pharmaceutical samples for their own personal use or for distribution to patients or family members.

USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai personnel may not disclose or otherwise use confidential or privileged information gained because of their employment at or relationship to Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai for direct or indirect personal advantage or gain. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the use of any such information in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other investment activities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai need a Conflicts of Interest (COI) Office?Our faculty and School have many important collaborative relationships with industry, and it is essential that these relationships are free of real or perceived conflicts that could influence decisions and actions relating to patient care, research integrity or education. The COI Office helps to ensure a conflict-free environment at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

What is a conflict of interest?When an individual’s personal financial interests (for example, stock ownership in a company) could influence their decision making and create bias. A conflict can also occur when the possibility of personal gain jeopardizes one’s professional judgment, objectivity and independence.

I am concerned about a potential conflict of interest, what should I do?Call our COI Hotline at 212-241-0845. If you would like to remain anonymous, call the Compliance Helpline at 800-853-9212.

What is the Sunshine Act?The health care reform bill includes provisions for pharmaceutical and device companies to disclose payments to physicians for a variety of services. The legislation is called the Physician Payments Sunshine Act.